New Delhi: India all-rounder Hardik Pandya, through his bowling, inspired a match-winning performance from the team bowlers against New Zealand at Dharamsala last Sunday and that has earned him the praise of head coach Anil Kumble. Pandya’s presence in the eleven gives the right balance to the team, Kumble said on Wednesday, the eve of their second one-day match against New Zealand at the Kotla.
Appreciating the set of skills Pandya posses, Kumble held that Team India could gain a lot out of the rookie all-rounder. “I think Hardik is someone who gives us the right balance because he can bowl and that too at a pretty decent pace. It was nice that he really bowled well in his first game with the new ball. That was certainly a strategy that M.S. (Dhoni) wanted Hardik to try.
And it’s really heartening that he came out with the man of the match award in his first game,” Kumble said, adding, “All-rounders, who can run in and bowl quick and bat are certainly an asset and he is someone we will closely monitor.”
